Some Good Times & some not so good

The Normandy Landings (codenamed Operation Neptune) were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control, and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front.

The amphibious landings were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault—the landing of 24,000 American, British, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 06:30.

On June 1, 1918, the battle of Belleau Wood began.

The Marines who fought there, cemented a legacy for generations to come. This was the first large-scale battle for the Marines and one that would be seared into the collective memory of the United States Marine Corps. The battle was fierce and raged for more than three weeks, finally coming to an end on June 26, 1918.

The Germans said the Marines fought like devils, calling them "teufel hunden." From that day on, Marines would be forever known as Devil Dogs.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.

I still remember when there were veterans who gave out/sought donations for their brothers. I always bought one.

But the rest of this history? Just learned this today 🙏…🕉️

by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields 🙏…🕉️